﻿Geonetric Announces Four Non-Profits to Benefit from Operation Overnight Event

Cedar Rapids, IA — August 15, 2014 — Geonetric is excited to announce the non–profits selected for the company’s 2014 Operation Overnight event. At a presentation this morning, representatives from Area Substance Abuse Council, Children’s Theatre of Cedar Rapids/Playtime Poppy, Corridor Running and Feed Iowa First discovered their organizations will receive new websites along with Web strategy training.

“It was an absolute honor and surprise to be selected as a part of such a philanthropic event,” says John Dwyer, vice president of Corridor Running. “This new website will help further our mission of promoting health and fitness in the Eastern Iowa Corridor.”

“ASAC is an expert in the substance abuse prevention and treatment field but not in website design,” says Lauren Merrick, resource development coordinator at Area Substance Abuse Council. “We are excited to have Geonetric’s expertise to create an awesome website.”

This is Geonetric’s third consecutive year holding Operation Overnight, and each year the company sees an increase in applications.

“Geonetric is delighted to offer the selected non–profits from Linn County the opportunity to have a new Web presence through Operation Overnight,” says Anne Ohrt, Operation Overnight Committee Chair. “We were overwhelmed by all the applicants and we look forward to continuing the tradition of helping non-profits from our community in such a positive way.”

Geonetric’s annual Operation Overnight charity event will begin October 23, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. and last 24–hours straight. During this exciting event, Geonetric Web developers, designers and online marketing strategists will work together to provide the selected non–profits with new websites, supporting materials and Web strategy training — all free of charge.

Geonetric’s Operation Overnight committee selected the four non–profits from a pool of candidates who submitted applications before July 15, 2014. Qualified non-profits had to be a 501(c) organization based in Linn County, IA. Applicants were asked to outline how receiving a new website and marketing materials would help them accomplish their organization’s mission to improve our community.

About the Non-Profit Organizations

Area Substance Abuse Council

The Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) provides accessible, comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment services designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families and communities in East Central Iowa. One of the oldest drug prevention and treatment agencies in Iowa, ASAC is licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health to provide prevention and treatment services to combat the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Our services follow the continuum of care beginning with prevention and intervention and moving through the various levels of treatment; assessment, outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential treatment and halfway house. Our prevention services proactively change and strengthen attitudes, actions and trends that will reduce substance abuse by educating and empowering individuals and communities. ASAC is a private, nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. We do not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay for services. Although we serve clients from throughout Iowa, we primarily serve Linn, Benton, Jones, Jackson and Clinton counties. We have six locations in Cedar Rapids.

Children's Theatre of Cedar Rapids/Playtime Poppy

The Children's Theatre of Cedar Rapids (CTCR), widely known to our fans as “Playtime Poppy,” has worked since 1935 to present and sponsor educational and entertaining programs for children in the field of drama and the interpretive arts. In partnership with Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, and Linn-Mar High Schools, Playtime Poppy presents four children’s theatre productions per year. CTCR also provides educational programs, awards scholarships and grants, and participates in or sponsors community events like the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s Summer Reading Program.

Corridor Running

Corridor Running (formerly the Cedar Valley Running Association) aims to promote running and fitness in Eastern Iowa. Corridor Running advocates on behalf of the running community and provides many opportunities for area runners including about 15 running events in Eastern Iowa such as the NewBo Run and the Fifth Season Race. With 700 members in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area and growing, club membership is open to all interested parties including walkers, joggers, competitive, and non-competitive runners regardless of age, sex or athletic ability. Corridor Running also gives back to the local community outside of running. For each Corridor Running sponsored race, the race director chooses a charity and a percentage of the entry fees are donated to that charity. Examples are the Red Cross, Waypoint and the Mercy Hospice House.

Feed Iowa First

Feed Iowa First confronts food insecurity today and tomorrow by growing food and farmers. Feed Iowa First was founded in 2011 in Cedar Rapids, IA by Sonia Kendrick on her summer break from college. What started as a half acre-sized garden owned by the Alliance Church meant to help the health and well-being of Iowa’s less fortunate has since grown to well over 12,000 pounds of food grown and donated in 2013. Food donations directly support local organizations such as Horizons Meals on Wheels and HACAP! Feed Iowa First has built 12 gardens in the past year in collaboration with Rockwell Collins, GE Capital, The Missionary Alliance Church, St. Andrews, Ascension Lutheran Church and many other as well as building a huge raised bed project on the Meals on Wheels site. Feed Iowa First also supports many local urban farms by providing seeds, transplants, equipment and advice.

About Geonetric®

Geonetric is a 17-year-old digital agency that helps healthcare brands across the country thrive through effective marketing and distinctive websites. The Cedar Rapids-based company employs more than 70 creative and talented individuals. Named to the Inc. 5000 list for seven consecutive years and a two-time recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan award for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness, Geonetric is continuously recognized for its exceptional work environment. In addition to the company’s efforts in advancing the healthcare technology industry, Geonetric is also focused on improving the Cedar Rapids community. Whether by supporting local entrepreneurship efforts or building websites for non-profits during the company’s annual Operation Overnight event, community involvement is built into the foundation of Geonetric’s culture.